HAMPSTEAD - Hampstead Hospital will begin offering a new 10-bed residential program next week to support adults managing their alcohol and drug addictions after detoxification.

Recovery Matters is scheduled to open April 15 in a fully renovated unit at the hospital's alcohol and drug treatment center.

The program will provide 24-hour care to adult men and women to help them continue with treatment through the hospital, which has provided inpatient chemical detoxification and intensive outpatient treatment for substance abuse for many years.

"It has become more apparent that going from a brief inpatient to outpatient care is often difficult for individuals in early recovery," said Patti Shea, the hospital's director of clinical operations.

According to Shea, the program was developed to provide local transitional treatment for individuals needing more intensive support following detox.

Through the new program, customized treatment plans will be developed that will focus on creating a sober support system, establishing a transition plan and teaching coping strategies.

In the past, Shea said people needing residential care were often referred to out-of-state programs or placed on lengthy waiting lists for more local programs. She said they would also participate in outpatient care that did not meet their needs and placed them at high risk for relapse.

"This now allows us to offer patients all necessary levels to treatment to support them in their recovery," Shea said. "Although residential treatment is not a new concept, Recovery Matters provides innovative, individualized care with a highly trained staff and the ability to provide on-site psychiatric and medical consultation."

Shea said Hampstead Hospital has seen an equal number of men and women seeking treatment for alcohol and drug dependence, and in recent years has seen an increase in those between the ages of 18 and 25 seeking help.

The first week of the program involves an assessment phase, after which individuals and families meet with the treatment team to discuss appropriate options, Shea said.

Options could include more time at the residential program (an average of three additional weeks), stepping to a partial level of care (six hours per day) or intensive outpatient treatment, which involves three hours a day.